The inaugural Venture Cup Prologue, which concludes in Poole on Tuesday June 11, kicks off in the heart of London on Saturday June 8, after which the teams race to Southend and then along the south coast to Brighton before crossing the Channel to Guernsey.

The following days will see the fleet race around the Channel Islands to St. Cast in France, before crossing the finishing line in Poole where competitors will be greeted with a prestigious Champagne and laurels event at Poole Harbour Commissioners’ award-wining marina, Poole Quay Boat Haven.

As a sponsor of the Venture Cup Powerboat Race, PHC will be providing free berths at Poole Quay Boat Haven for the 11 Powerboats competing, offering trailer storage and a lift out facility.

Poole Harbour Commissioners chief executive, Jim Stewart, believes the event will be fantastic in bringing additional tourism to Poole. He said: “Poole Harbour Commissioners is delighted to be able to offer its services for this year’s Venture Cup. It is the ultimate race with all levels of adventure and it’s fantastic for Poole that the race is finishing here.

“PHC is very keen to help promote and support these types of events taking place in Poole Harbour, as not only does it encourage a welcome to event organisers but it also brings increased business for the traders and businesses on the Quay and the town.”

Southampton-based Event Communication Services has been given the opportunity to unlock its growth potential with funding and support from expert advisors as part of a government-backed nationwide scheme.

The company, acquired by Tom Ross in December 2012, is taking advantage of the government Growth Accelerator scheme to help it achieve further growth and ensure long-term sustainability.

The company is a UK communications specialist and delivers solutions in radio communications, vehicle tracking, fleet management and business mobiles.  Under Tom’s leadership, and with financial assistance from the Growth Accelerator programme, Event Communication Services has undergone a re-brand with support from agency Digital Storm to become Fore Solutions and the company has also invested in excess of £20,000 in personal development and training for employees which has been provided by Dale Carnegie Training.

The new Fore Solutions company will continue its nationally recognised work in communication solutions and the re-branded company now incorporates four divisions – ForeTrack (vehicle tracking and fleet management), Fore Communications (corporate radio communications), Fore Business (mobile communications) and Fore Events (two-way radio hire).  The Fore Solutions head office is based in Southampton and an office has been opened in Poole, Dorset.

Commenting, Tom Ross said: “This is an excellent scheme which will really help small businesses like us to grow and become more competitive. A mentor has been assigned to us to share their expertise.  They have analysed the business to help us find what we could improve and I have been extremely impressed with the support that has been given.”

He adds: “It is an exciting time for us at the moment and we are delighted to reveal our refreshed brand, Fore Solutions, to new and existing clients.”

For further details on Fore Solutions please email ku.oc.snoituloserofnull@ofni, visit www.foresolutions.co.uk  or telephone 02380 249 860.

The launch event, sponsored for the second year running by Tower Park-based motor dealership Breeze Volkswagen, will celebrate the achievements of past winners and reveal this year’s Award categories.

Organised by Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, entry to the 2013 competition opens on Tuesday June 18, and businesses of every size from across the county and from all industry sectors are encouraged to put themselves forward for one or more of the prestigious accolades.

The Awards were established 19 years ago to find the region’s top business leaders, companies, employers and entrepreneurs and have attracted an exceptional level of entries from some of Dorset’s top performing companies.  Award sponsors confirmed for 2013 are Barclays Bank, Bournemouth University, the Dolphin Shopping Centre, the Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hays Specialist Recruitment, J.P. Morgan, KPMG, Lester Aldridge, Liz Lean PR, Nuffield Health Bournemouth Hospital, Princecroft Willis and Superior.  The Bournemouth Daily Echo and Wave 105 remain on-board as media sponsors with the Dorset Echo confirmed as a supporter. RT Media will continue as the Dorset Business Award website sponsor.

John Corderoy, managing director of Breeze Volkswagen, says: “We are delighted to be involved with such a prestigious event and to be able to offer our support to the Dorset Business Awards for the second year.  Like all successful businesses, here at Breeze Volkswagen we always aim to be the best. We share best practice and celebrate achievement, and the mission of the Awards to encourage excellence is a perfect fit with the way we run our business.”

Peter Scott, chief executive of Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, says: “The Dorset Business Awards is an integral part of the county’s business calendar.  The competition has become the single biggest business event held in Dorset each year, where companies come together in a joint celebration of all that is good for our county.

The 2013 launch event will provide potential entrants with the opportunity to meet sponsors to find out what they are looking for in this year’s entries and will be a good opportunity to network with the Dorset business community.”

The Awards close for entry on Tuesday September 10 and the campaign will culminate in a prestigious gala dinner ceremony on Thursday November 28 at the Lighthouse in Poole.

Companies interested in finding out more about the 2013 Awards should visit www.dorsetbusinessawards.co.uk or contact Shirley Ewart on 01202 714812.

Knoticat

Poole Harbour Commissioners has helped support a local charity, Sports Forum for the Disabled, by providing them with a free permanent berth at its award-winning Port of Poole Marina.

Sports Forum for the Disabled provides sailing opportunities in Poole Harbour for the disabled and their carers on its 10-metre offshore sailing catamaran, Knoticat.

Knoticat is run entirely by volunteers and relies on donations and grants from charitable trusts. Last year the Poole-based charity took more than 500 people sailing in Poole Harbour and along the Jurassic Coast.

Jim Stewart, chief executive of Poole Harbour Commissioners, said: “We are delighted we can help support a local charity that is so valuable in what they offer for the disabled.

“Sports Forum for the Disabled provides a real hands-on sailing experience and we hope that by berthing at our award-winning Port of Poole Marina they will be able to provide even more sailing opportunities throughout the year.”

Knoticat’s chief skipper, Ian Fisher, added: “The free mooring in Port of Poole Marina will make an enormous difference to us and we are extremely grateful to Poole Harbour Commissioners for its support. It’s from generous donations like this that mean we can continue to help the disabled.”

The catamaran, which can sail a maximum of 11 persons, including two crew, has been adapted for ‘roll on, roll off’ wheelchair access throughout. All the ropes, lines and controls lead to one wheelchair adapted steering position and passengers are encouraged to steer and sail the boat with guidance from the charity’s highly experienced skippers and crew.

Weather permitting, the Knoticat operates five days a week and trips are free of charge. For booking enquiries please call 07889 970702 or email gro.lla4gniliasnull@gnikoob.